Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil score goals to secure a crucial victory for Everton against Nottingham Forest in their battle to avoid relegation.

Liverpool, England – In a crucial battle to avoid relegation, Everton secured a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil proved to be the difference in a tense encounter at Goodison Park.

The match saw the 16th-placed Everton take on 17th-placed Nottingham Forest in a Sunday lunchtime kick-off. Both teams were separated by just one point at the start of the game, making this clash a must-win for both sides.

It was Everton who drew first blood, with Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye finding the back of the net just shy of the half-hour mark. A perfectly timed clearing header from Ola Aina fell to Gueye, who unleashed a low shot from 25 yards out that eluded Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

Nottingham Forest had their chances to equalize, with Chris Wood coming close before the break. However, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a brilliant save to deny the visitors.

The second half saw Forest continue to push for a goal, but it was Everton who had the better opportunities early on. From a corner taken by Dwight McNeil, James Tarkowski knocked the ball down for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who unfortunately sliced his shot wide of the left post.

Morgan Gibbs-White had a golden opportunity to level the score on the hour mark, but his effort went wide of the mark. With 14 minutes remaining, McNeil made Forest pay for their missed chances as he doubled Everton’s lead with a powerful strike from outside the box, assisted by Abdoulaye Doucoure.

These three points could prove to be crucial for Everton in their fight to avoid relegation, with seven games left in the season. Forest, on the other hand, have six games remaining to secure their top-flight status. Manager Sean Dyche will be hoping that this victory gives his team the momentum they need to stay up.